Originally published September 26, 2008 at midnight, updated September 29, 2008 at midnight
Australian Aboriginal playwright David Milroy weaves the past and present of the Aboriginal story through his work.
Milroy will speak about the experience to six Introduction to Theater classes today as part of the “Origins: on the Road” tour sponsored by Bronitsky and Associates, an international cultural marketing company. Milroy will also present a play-writing workshop at Haskell Indian Nations University tomorrow.
Presentations by David Milroy are free and open to the public.
Today:
Sabbatini Multicultural Resource Center classroom
9-9:50 a.m.
10-10:50 a.m.
11-11:50 a.m.
12-12:50 p.m.
1-1:50 p.m.
The commons at Spooner Hall
2-3:30 p.m.
Tomorrow:
Haskell Indian Nations University
10 a.m. to noon
The presentations are open to the public and will address the history of Aboriginal theater, the development of the theater in over the last 20 years and the last 150 years of western Australian history.
Milroy said his lectures provided context for the theater and often varied depending on the audience’s interests.
“It’s not just about theater; it’s about many of the social and political issues that Aboriginal people have faced in Australia,” Milroy said.
Milroy is a member of the Palyku tribe in Australia. He said Aboriginal theater served as a “catch-up theater” because it told stories that had been left out of history books. It also serves as a way to maintain Aboriginal culture.
The inspiration for Milroy’s work comes from the real-life experiences of his family, friends and tribal group, which he compared to the experience of American Indians. He said he also developed traditional stories into contemporary pieces.
Most of Milroy’s past work focused on historical issues. Recently, he has been focusing on contemporary issues, such as the effects mining has on the Aboriginal community and the country as a whole.
John Hoopes, director of the Global Indigenous Nations Studies program, said the visit would give students the opportunity to learn about the history of discrimination against Aboriginal and other indigenous people in Australia.
“To actually have a face-to-face conversation with someone whose experience is very different from your own is very valuable,” Hoopes said.
The idea for the tour was developed when Milroy met Gordon Bronitsky, president and founder of Bronitsky and Associates. Bronitsky saw one of Milroy’s presentations in London and invited him to share it with the Native American community in the U.S.
The department of theater and film, the department of English, the Global Indigenous Nations Studies program and the Spencer Museum of Art sponsored the visit.
John Staniunas, chair of the department of theater and film, said they chose to include the Introduction to Theater class because it had discussion sections on Friday and because it would reach a wide variety of students. He said it would raise awareness of not only Aboriginal culture, but also of the cultures of other indigenous groups.
The “Origins: on the Road” tour stopped at four other colleges and universities in the Midwest. Milroy said he would like to expand the tour in the future and work to develop a stronger presence for Native American theater in the U.S.
— — Edited by Kelsey Hayes
Event will educate public on Palestine
Voices of Palestine, a student group, will hold two days of workshops ...
Saturday in the city
Saturday has a lot more to offer than one might think.
Jayplay Calendar: March 1, 2007
Checkout Jayplay's hottest events for the week of March 1 to March ...
Professor leads campus art and architecture tour
The free tour will begin outside of the Natural History Museum at ...
Symposium showcases American Indian culture
The Dole Institute of Politics will hold the event, which focuses on ...
Noted Chinese director visits campus
Chen Shi-Zheng will be working with theatre and film students and discussing ...
Group celebrates and educates about Israel
Activities include reggae concert, Israeli food, speakers.
University Theatre puts twist on “Eurydice”
Student cast plays modern Greek myth characters in performance that opens tonight.
International Awareness week begins
The International Student Association aims to give cultural awareness
St. Louis parties big for Mardi Gras
Students head to Missouri for the nation’s second-largest Fat Tuesday celebration.
Q&A: Tom Higgenson of Plain White T's
Because we have questions. Celebrities have answers.
Dine and donate with Cultural India Club
Proceeds from a dinner featuring Indian foods will benefit impoverished in India.
Playwrights compete in own Final Four
Four student plays will be performed at the English Alternative Theatre in ...
Theater group to stage final performance
The nationally recognized English Alternative Theater will close its curtains after founder, ...
Get some culture: Multicultural theatre initiative
It's not all about fast food and beer pong.
Study abroad sets students up for success
Deadline to apply for summer, fall and 2009-2010 academic year programs is ...
KU Environs to lead an Earth Day ...
Eco-friendly festivities will aim to increase knowledge of sustainability and its benefits.
‘Tree of Life’ has roots in art, ...
Lied Center performance will unite culture and science with on-stage dance, theater, ...
Jayplay Calendar: May 3 to May 9
Check out Jayplay's hottest events for the week.
Club celebrates Indian independence
Jayplay Calendar: March 29 to April 4
Check out Jayplay's hottest events for the week
French play highlights couples’ troubles
Show written in 1907 relies on timing, physical activity and relevant relationship ...
Symposium to address human rights issues
A six-member panel will address closing Guantánamo Bay, among other topics.
Jayplay Calendar: March 15, 2007
Check out Jayplay's hottest events, March 15 to March 21
Grad student investigates stereotypes in art
KU graduate student Hilary Hungerford researched a permanent exhibit of African art ...
Peace Corps comes to Kansas Union
Former Peace Corps volunteer, Zachary Cooper, speaks to students in the Kansas ...
Jayplay Calendar: April 26 to May 1
Check out Jayplay's Hottest Events for the week!
Better know a major: History
From college professors to historians, history majors can go on to have ...
Diwali gives insight into Indian culture
KU Cultural India Club will host an event celebrating the ‘festival of ...
Shakespearean theater to open spring 2009
New theater will give students the opportunity to get involved on stage ...
New dance club focuses on Bollywood
The group will give free classes on Bollywood-style dance using Indian and ...
Bringing Greek tragedy to KU from abroad
Ten students visited Greece this summer, where they performed “The Trojan Women.”
Forget what you heard
The Kansan's four part series showcasing hip hop's impact on a mix ...
Morning Brew: Australian Open could be historic
Rafael Nadal is seeking his fourth straight tennis title.
KU Theater presents ‘Translations’
The KU Theater program continues the celebration of 50 years at Murphy ...
International students find their place at Kansas
Three students from other countries relate their experiences fitting in America.
Darwin debate remains amid celebrations
The University has arraged multiple events recognizing Darwin’s scientific impact in conjunction ...
Ireland theater company to visit campus
The Mangiare Theatre Company, based out of Ireland, is hosting a three-day ...
Study Abroad introduces new programs
The study abroad fair is today on the fourth floor of the ...
KU student uses research to help Navajo ...
Nasbah Ben, Chinle, Ariz., graduate student, researches air quality in the Four ...
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
KUnited presidential candidate Libby Johnson and vice presidential ...
1 comment
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID